Railroad-tie.



No. 805,261. PATENTBD NOV. 2l, 1905. J. L. CATLETT.

RAILROAD TIE.

APPLICATION FILED my 5. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

llllllilllllll nlnmuuiiiiiii WHA/5885s; C /NVE rol? j. JASPER L.. ATLETT ATTORNEYS No. 805,261. PATBNTED NOV. 2l, 1905. J. L. GATLBTT.

RAILROAD TIE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 5. 1905.

3 BHEETB--SHEET 2.

w I i @M te@ BY ATTORNEYS PATENTBD NOV. 21, 1905,

J. L. GATLBTT. RAILROAD TIB.

APPLIoATIoN FILED MAY 5, 199.5.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

/A/VE/VTOH .JASPER I CATLET T ATTORNEYS PATENT. OFFICE.

JASPER LUGIUS CATLET'I, OF VINCENNES, INDIANA.

RAILROAD-TIE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

applicati@ ined May 5, 1905. Serin No. 259.007.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JASPER Looms CATLETT, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Vincennes, in the county of Knox and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad -Ties, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in steel cross-ties; and it consists in certain novel constructions and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings forming a part hereof, Figure l is a plan view of a section of track provided with my improved tie. Fig. 2 is a Section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the fastening-plate. Fig. 5 is a plan view of a section of bridge-track provided with my tie and the guard-rail. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 7 is an end view of the same, showing the manner of attaching the guard rail. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a' perspective view of the bridge-tie, and Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a section of the guard-rail.

In the practical application of my invention I provide a cross-tie A, preferably of Steel and of double tubular structure, comprising the upper plate a, a lower plate a', vertical side ft2, anda double-thickness central web, and the upper plate (t is Aprovided with a thickened portion t3 along' the longi-A tudinal center thereof, having laterally-projecting flanges cf a on its free edges.

The iiange ft at one end of the tie is cut transversely, as at a?, and a part of the flange outside the cut is struck upto form an inwardly-facing square shoulder as for receiv-A ing and supporting the outer side of the base t of the rail B, and the opposite iiange a is cut transversely, as at (t9, and a part of the flange on the inner side of the cut is struck up to form an outwardly-facing shoulder am to receive and support the inner side of the base Z2 of the rail B', the perpendicular distance between the shoulders corresponding to the width of the rail-base.

The opposite end of the tie is provided with similarly-arranged shoulders and at a distance from the first shoulder approximately corresponding to the gage of the track. The flange al is struck up to form the outwardly-facing shoulders a for supporting the inner edge of the base of the rail B, while the flange a is struck up to form an inwardly-facing shoulder am, supporting the outer edge of the same rail. The transverse cut in the flange (t5, adi jacent to the shoulder (tu, is at a slightlygreater distance from the cut t7 than the width of the gage of the track and is undercut, as at alito form an overhanging lug it, bearing upon the upper surface of the rail-base and preventing lifting of the rail. The inwardlyfacing shoulder (tu is similar in all respects to the outwardly-facing shoulder (tu, and the distance between the transverse cut adjacent to the shoulder au and the transverse cut ct? corresponds to the distance between the transverse cut adjacent to the shoulder am and the transverse cut (t9.

The arrangement of the shoulders is reversed on the alternate ties, the square shoulders being at the same end as the undercut shoulders of the intermediate ties and the similarly-facing shoulders being symmetrically arranged, as shown in Fig. l. In this figure it will be seen that the ties are placed in pairs A A', the proximate flanges a5 a being provided with an undercut shoulder a and a square shoulder (t8, respectively, su pporting the outer edge of the rail-base B, and a square shoulder (t8 and an undercut shoulder (tu, respectively, supporting the inner edge of the rail-base B, while the remote flanges a a are provided with a square shoulder t8 and an undercut shoulder am, respectively, for engaging the outer edge of the base of rail B, and an undercut shoulder tu and a square shoulder am, respectively, for engaging the inner edge of the rail-base B. This arrangement provides a simple and reliable means of securing the ties against displacement by the crawling of the rails, and

the alternate arrangement of the square shoul ders permits an easy detachment of the ties from the rail, it only being necessary to remove enough ballast from beneath the tie to allow the square-shouldered Aend to drop a triiie, when a slight swing to the left of the tie A or to the right of the tie A will release the undercut shoulder from the rail. I/Vhen properly ballasted, the tie can be displaced onliy by lifting the entire track from the roadbec.

A fastening-plate C is used on curves for holding down the inside edge of the rail-hase to the ends of the ties having the square shoulders. The plate comprises two parts c 0, having the general outline shown in Fig. 4. The part c of the plate is rectangular in outline and is placed transversely of the tie and overlapping the inside edge of the rail-base, while IOO IIO

the part c rests transversely of the rail in the groove beneath the flange at and is provided with a flange o, eng'aging over the outer edge of the rail-base. The part c is provided with a downwardly-turned flange 03, engaging the opposite flange, and an upturned flange on the edge adjacent to the web of the rail. A bolt cL traverses the overlapping portion of the parts and is secured by a nut 05.-

The fastening-plate is an eflcient means of securing the ties to the rails in the process of laying track before the placing of the ballast, but is unnecessary on straight track after ballasting.

rIhe ordinary form of tie is formed from a plate having' a thickened center a3, provided with the flanges a5 a, the sides of the plate being turned squarely downward, inward, and upward, forming two sidewise abutting rectangular tubes, with the abutting sides of the tubes forming a support for the central portion of the upper surface of the tie. If desired, the tubular portion of the tie may be filled with cement or concrete. Then the tube is formed, the flanges are cut and the shoulders struck up on the proper gage.

A construction of my tie especially adapted for bridge use is shown in Fig. 9. Since no ballast is used between the ties in this situation, other means must be employed to maintain a proper interval between the ties. lith this object in view I provide a tie D, comprising a base (l, a web d, and a thread (Z2. The arrangement of the rail-supporting shoulders is in all respects the same as those on the tie A, and at a suitable distance outside of the rail-supporting shoulders I provide oppositely disposed inwardly facing undercut shoulders d and near the ends of the ties oppositely-disposed transverse cuts df.

Aguard-rail E, comprising in cross-section an inward flange e to engage beneath the undercut shoulders CZ", a vertical portion a and an arched portion e3, provided with a series of flanges e", the alternate flanges resting on the ends of the ties and the interinediate flanges depending between the ties and engaging the short transverse cuts to maintain the ties at the proper interval with respect to each other. To prevent uplifting of the outer side of the guard-rail, a plate d, provided with the transverse lugs (Z7 for engaging the under surface of the flanges of the adjacent ties, is secured to the depending flange e" by a bolt and nut (ZS.

Undercut shoulders d", struck up from the edges of the base d, are provided on one end of the base of the tie for engaging the bridge- Stringer F and on the opposite end of the tie square shoulders (Zw for engaging the opposite Stringer. The shoulders on the edges of the base of the ties are similarly arranged to the shoulders on the corresponding edge of the tread of the tie. It will be understood that the shoulders are symmetrically disposed on the pairs of ties and that the stringers are engaged alternately by square shoulders and undercut shoulders. Then properly put together, this construction forms a rigidlylocked structure, the guardrail locking the tie at the proper interval and the tie locking both rail and stringer. The removal of the guard-rail permits the detachment of the ties in the manner previously set forth.

The advantages of my improved construction will be evident from the description. In railroad construction the ties are placed at proper intervals on the road-bed, the rails are laid thereon, one rail is spiked inV place, and the other rail is lined up by means of a gage with respect to the other rail. The rails must be gaged at short intervals and spiked with the gage in place. Since the ties are not always uniform in size, a considerable amount of blocking is necessary to secure proper alinement. In my construction the ties are placed along the road-bed. rIhe rails are laid thereon and secured in place. No gaging is required, since the ties themselves gage the rails, and as the ties are of uniform size no blocking is required. lhen properly ballasted, the ties are immovable and the traffic of the road tends to fix them more securely. The track is more easily kept in shape and the rail will be free from depressions due to imperfect ties.

A bridge constructed with my ties and secured by the guard-rail is not only fireproof, but the guard-rail provides an eflcient stop for the car-wheels in case of derailment, preventing the trucks from leaving the bridge.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of two parallel stringers, rails above the stringers', supports for the rails and resting on the stringers, comprising a plurality of metallic ties, each tie being provided with laterally-projecting flanges on the horizontal faces thereof, shoulders formed in the flanges of the upper face of the alternate ties at each end thereof, the shoulders of one flange vsupporting the outer side of one rail-base, and the inner side of the other rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the first rail-base, and the outer side of the second rail-base, shoulders formed in the flanges of the lower face of the alternate ties at each end thereof, and similarly arranged with respect to the shoulders of the corresponding flanges of the upper face, the shoulders of one flange, supporting the outer side of the stringer corresponding to the first railbase, and the inner side of the stringer corresponding to the second rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the Stringer corresponding to the first rail-base, and the' outer side of the Stringer corresponding to the second rail-base, shoul- IOO s'aaci ders formed in the fianges on the upper face of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, shoulders formed in the flanges on the lower face of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging' lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, inwardly-facing undercut shoulders on the upper flanges without the rail-base-supporting shoulders, a guard-rail comprising an arched portion, a ange on the inner edge of the arched portion engaging the undercut shoulders, and a series of flanges on the outer edge of the arched portion, the alternate members of the series resting on the upper face of the adjacent tie, the intermediate members of the series depending between the ties and engaging the transverse notches in the flanges thereof, a plate engaging the lower faces of the flanges of the adjacent ties, and overlappingl the dependent flange, a bolt traversing the overlapping parts and a nut engaging the bolt.

2. In apparatus of the'cla'ss described, the combination of two parallel stringers, rails above the stringers, supports for the rails and resting on the stringers comprising a plurality of metallic ties, each tie being provided with laterally-projecting fianges on the horizontal faces thereof, shoulders formed in the iianges of the upper face of the alternate ties at each end thereof, the shoulders of one liange supporting the outer side of one rail-base, and the inner side of the other rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the first rail-base, and the outer side of the second rail-base, shoulders formed in the flanges of the lower face of the alternate tie at each end thereof, and similarly arranged with respect to the shoulders of the corresponding flanges of the upper face, the shoulders of one fiange,supporting the outer side of the stringer corresponding to the first rail-base, and the inner side of the Stringer corresponding to the second rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the Stringer corresponding to the first rail-base, and the outer side of the Stringer corresponding to the second rail-base, shoulders formed in the flanges on the upper face of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, shoulders formed in the flanges on the lower face of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, inward ly-facing undercut shoulders on the upper flanges without the rail-base supporting-shoulders, a guardrail comprising an'arched portion, a flange on the inneredge of the arched portion engaging the undercut shoulders, means on the guardrail for maintaining the ties at regular intervals with respect to each other, and means for securing the guard-rail to the tics.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of two parallel stringe-rs, rails above the stringers, supports for the rails and resting on the stringers,comprising a plurality of metallic ties, each tie being provided with laterally-projecting flanges on the horizontal faces thereof, shoulders formed in the flanges of the upper face of the alternate ties at each end thereof, the shoulders of one flange supporting the outer side of one rail-base, and the inner side of the other rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the lirst rail-base, and the outer side of the second rail-base, shoulders formed in the flanges of the lower face of the alternate tie at each end thereof, and similarly arranged with respect to the shoulders of the corresponding flanges of the upper face, the shoulders of one flange supporting' the outer side of the Stringer corresponding to the first railbase, and the inner side of the Stringer corresponding to the second rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the Stringer corresponding to the first railbase, and the outer side of the Stringer corresponding to the second rail-base, shoulders formeel in the flanges on the upper face of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, Shoulders formed in the flanges on the lower face of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, inwardlyfacing undercut shoulders on the upper flanges without the rail-base supporting-shoulders, a guard-rail engaging the inwardly-facing undercut shoulders for maintaining the ties at proper intervals with respect to each other, and means for securing the guard-rail to the ties.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of two parallel stringers, rails above the stringers, supports for the rails and resting on the stringers comprising a plurality of metallic ties, each tie being provided with laterally-projecting flanges on the horizontal faces thereof, shoulders formed in the fianges of the upper face of the alternate ties at each end thereof, the shoulders of one flange supporting the outer side of one rail-base and the inner side of the other rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the first rail-base, and the outer Side of the second rail-base, shoulders formed in the fianges of the lower face of the alternate ties at each end thereof, and similarly arranged with respect to the shoulders of the corresponding flanges of the Lipper face, the shoulders of one flange, supporting the outer side of the Stringer corresponding to the rst TOO IIO

rail-base, and the inner side of the Stringer l the flanges of the upper face of the alternate corresponding to the second railbase, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the stringer corresponding to the first rail-base, and the outer side of the stringer corresponding' to the second railbase, Shoulders formed in the flanges on the upper face of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of Shoulders, Shoulders formed in the flanges on the lower face of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, a guard-rail for maintaining the ties at proper intervals with respect to each other, and means for securing the guard-rail to the ties.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of the oppositelyairanged stringers, rails above the stringers, supports for the rails, and resting on the stringers comprising a plurality of metallic ties, each tie being provided with laterally -projecting flanges on the horizontal faces thereof, shoulders formed in the flanges ofl the upper faces of the alternate ties at each end thereof, the shoulders of one flange suppo-rting the outer side of one rail-base, and the inner sideof the other rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the first rail-base, and the outer side of the second rail-base, shoulders formed in the flanges of the lower face of the alternate ties at each end thereof, and arranged similarly with respect to the shoulders of the corresl'ionding flanges of the opposite face, the shoulder of one flange supporting the outer side of' the stringer corresponding to the first rail-base, and the inner side of' the Stringer corresponding to the second rail-base, the shoulders of the-other flange supporting' the inner side of the Stringer corresponding to the lirst railbase, and the outer side of the Stringer corresponding to the second rail-base, shoulders formed in the flanges on the upper face of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the Shoulders of the alternate ties, over-hanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, shoulders formed in the flanges on the lower faces of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, and means for maintaining the tics at the proper interval with respect to each other.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of theoppositely-arranged stringers, rails above the Stringers, supports for the rails and resting on the stringers comprising a plurality of metallic ties, each tie being provided with laterally-.projecting flanges on the horizontal faces thereof, Shoulders formed in ties at each end thereof', the shoulders of one flange supporting the outer sideof one railbase and the inner side of the other rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the first rail-base, and the outer side of the second rail-base, shoulders formed in the flanges of the lower faces of the alternate ties at each end thereof, and arranged similarly with respect to the shoulders of the corresponding flanges of the Lipper face, the Shoulders of one flange supporting the outer side of the Stringer corresponding to the first rail-base, and the inner side of the string'er corresponding to the second rail -base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the stringer corresponding to the first rail-base, and the outer side of the stringer corresponding to the Second rz il-base, shoulders formed in the flanges on the upper faces of' the intermediate ties and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, shoulders formed in the flanges on the lower faces of the intermediate ties and reverselg7 arranged with respect to` the shoulders on the alternate ties and means for maintaining' the ties at proper intervals with respect to each other.

7. ln apparatus of the class described, the combination of oppositely-arranged stringers, rails above the stringers, supports for the rails and resting on the stringers, comprisingI a plurality of metallic ties, each tie being provided with laterally-projecting flanges on the hori- Zontal faces thereof, shoulders formed in the vflanges of the upper face of the alternate ties at each end thereof, the shoulders of one flange Supporting the outer side of one rail-base and the inner side of the other rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the first rail-base, and the outer side of the second rail-base; shoulders formed in the flanges of the lower face of the alternate ties at each end thereof, and arranged similarly to the shoulders of 'the corresponding flanges of the upper face, the shoulders in one flange su pporting the outer side of the Stringer corresponding to the first rail-base and the inner side of the stringer corresponding to the second rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange su p porting the in ner side of' the Stringer corresponding' to the first rail-base, and the outer side of the Stringer corresponding to the second rail base; shoulders formed in vthe flanges on the upper faces of the intermediate ties and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, means on the alternate pairs of shoulders for engaging the upper face of the rail-base; shoulders formed in the flanges on the lower face of the alternate ties and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, means on the alternate pairs of shoulders for engagfof ing the edges of the stringers and means for maintaining the ties at proper intervals with respect to each other.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of oppositely-arranged stringere, rails above the stringere, supports forthe rails and resting on the stringers comprising a plurality of metallic ties, means on one side of the longitudinal center of the upper face of the alternate ties at each end thereof for supporting the outer side of one rail-base and the inner side of the other rail-base, means on the other side of the longitudinal center of the upper face of the alternate ties for supporting the inner side of the first rail-base andthe outer side of the second rail-base, means on one side of the longitudinal center of the lower face of the alternate ties and arranged similarly with respect to the supporting means on the corresponding side of the upper face of the tie, for supporting the outer side' of the Stringer corresponding to the first rail-base, and the inner side of the Stringer corresponding toithe second rail-base, means on the other side of the longitudinal center of the lower face of the alternate ties and similarly arranged with respect to the means on the corresponding side of the upper face for supporting the inner side of the Stringer corresponding to the first rail-base, and the outer side of the stringer corresponding to the second rail-base, rail-supporting means on the intermediate ties symmetrically arranged with respect to the Supporting means on the alternate ties, stringere-supporting means on the lower faces of the intermediate ties symmetrically arranged with respect to the stringere-supporting means on the lower faces of the alternate ties, and means for maintaining. the ties at proper intervals with respect to each other.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of oppositely-arranged stringers, rails above the stringers, supports for the rails and resting on the stringere, comprising a plurality of metallic ties, means on one end of the upper faces of the alternate ties for engaging the opposite edges of the rail-base at diagonally opposite points, means on the other end of the upper faces of the alternate ties for engaging the opposite edges of the other rail-base at diagonally opposite points, means on one end of the lower faces of the alternate ties for engaging the opposite edges of the stringers at diagonally opposite points, means on the other end of the lower faces of the alternate ties for engaging the opposite edges of the other Stringer at diagonally opposite points, each pair of engaging means being similarly arranged with respect to each other pair of engaging means,engaging means on each end of\the upper face of the intermediate ties for engaging the rail-base reversely arranged with respect to the rail-base-engaging means on the alternate ties, means on each of the ends of the lower face of the intermediate ties for engaging the stringers, reversel y arranged with respect to the Stringer engaging means on the alternate ties, and means for maintaining the ties at proper intervals With respectto each other.

l0. In apparatus of the class described, the' combination of oppositely-arranged rails, supports for the rails comprising a plurality of metallic ties, means on each end of the upper surface of the alternate ties, for engaging the opposite edges of the rail-bases at diagonally opposite points, each pair of engaging means being similarly arranged with respect to the other pair, means on each end of the upper surface of the intermediate ties for engaging the opposite edges of the rail-bases at diagonally opposite points, each pair of engaging means being similarly arranged with respect to the other pair, and symmetrically arranged with respect to the corresponding pair on the alternate ties.

l1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of oppositely-arranged rails, supports for the rails, comprising a plurality of rectangular hollow ties each provided with a vertical longitudinally-arranged central web and a longitudinal raised portion centrally disposed on the upper surface of the tie, and of less width than such surface, laterally-projecting flanges on the raised portion, shoulders formed in the flanges of the upper faces of the alternate ties at each end thereof, the shoulders of one flange supporting the outer side of one rail-base and the inner side of the other rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the first rail-base and the outer side of the second rail-base, shoulders formed in the iianges on the upper faces of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, means for securing the rails to the ties at the ends provided with square shoulders, comprising a plate arranged beneath one flange transversely of the rail, and provided with a iiange for engaging the outer edge of the base thereof, a second plate arranged transversely of the first plate and of the raised portion of the tie and overlapping the first-named plate, a iiange on the plate for engaging the opposite flange of the raised portion, a second flange on the edge of the plate adjacent to the web of the rail, a bolt traversing the overlapping parts, and a nut engaging the bolt.

l2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of oppositely-arranged rails, supports for the rails comprising a plurality of rectangular hollow ties each provided with a vertical longitudinally-arranged central web and a longitudinal raised portion centrally disposed on the upper surface of the tie, and of less width than such surface, laterally-projecting anges on the raised portion, shoulders IOO IIO

formed in the flanges of the upper faces of the alternate ties at each end thereof, the shoulders of one flange supporting the outer side of one rail-base and the inner side of the other rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the first rail-base and the outer side of the second railloase, shoulders formed in the flanges on the upper faces of the intermediate ties, and reversely arranged with respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, overhanging lugs on the alternate pairs of shoulders, and means for securing the rails to the ties at the ends provided with square shoulders.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of oppositely-disposed rails, supports for the rails comprising a plurality of rectangular hollow metallic ties, each provided with a vertical longitudinally-arranged central web and a longitudinal raised portion, centrally7 disposed on the upper surface and of less width than such surface, laterally-projecting flanges on the raised portion, shoulders struck up in the flanges of the alternate ties at each end thereof, the shoulders of one flange, supporting the outer side of one railbase, and the inner side of the other rail-base, the shoulders of the other flange supporting the inner side of the first rail-base and the outer side of the second rail-base, shoulders formed in the flange of the upper faces of the intermediate ties and reversely arranged with -respect to the shoulders of the alternate ties, and means on the alternate pairs of shoulders for engaging the upper surface of the railbase.

14. A rectangular cross-tie comprising a plate provided with a longitudinal centrallyarranged thickened portion, and bent to form two abutting rectangular tubes the abutting sides of the tubes sup porting the thickened portion, laterally-projecting flanges on the thickened portion, square shoulders for engaging the opposite edges of a rail-base struck up from the opposite flanges, at one end of the ties, and undercut shoulders for engaging the opposite edges of a rail-base, struck up from the opposite flanges at the other end of the tie.

15. A metallic cross-tie, comprising' a plate provided with a longitudinal centrally-arranged raised portion, and bent to form two abuttingrectangular tubes, the abutting sides of the tubes supporting the raised portion, laterally-projecting flanges on the raised portion, means for engaging the edges of a railbase at diagonally opposite points on one end of the raised portion, means for engaging a rail-base at diagonally opposite points on the other en d of the tie and similarly arranged with respect to the first-named pair.

16. A metallic tie comprising a plate pro'- vided with a longitudinal centrally-arranged thickened portion, and bent to form two rectangular tubes, the abutting sides of the tubes beneath the thickened portion, laterallyfprojecting flanges on the thickened portion, and rail-supporting shoulders on theopposite ends of the tie.

17. A metallic tie comprisinga rectangular tube having a longitudinal centrally-arranged vertical web, a thickened portion on the upper surface of the tie and of lesser width than such surface, laterally-projecting flanges on the thickened portion, and oppositely disposed shoulders on the flanges, at the ends of the tie to form seats for the rail-bases.

. 18. A metallic tie having a thickened portion on its upper surface and of less width than such surface, and undercut to form laterally-projecting flanges on the said thickened portion, portions of said flanges being deflected to form seats for the rail-bases.

19. A metallic tie having a thickened portion on its upper surface of less width than such surface, and undercut to form laterallyprojecting' flanges on the said thickened portion.

20. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rail, a tie for supporting the rail, and provided with laterally-projectiug flanges on its upper surface, means for securing the rail to the tie comprising a plate in the groove beneath the flange and transversely of the rail, a-flange on the plate for engaging the outer edge of the rail-base, a second plate transversely of the first plate and of the upper surface of the tie and resting on the inner edge of the rail-base, a flange on the second plate for engaging' the opposite flanged portion of the tie, a bolt traversing the plate and a nut engaging the bolt.

2l.. 1n apparatus of the class described, the combination of oppositely disposed rails, means for supporting the rails, comprising a .plurality of metallic ties having' laterally-projecting flanges on their upper surfaces, means for niaintaining the ties at proper intervals with respect to each other, comprising a g'uard-rail provided with a series of depending flanges, for engaging transverse notches in the flanges of' the adjacent ties, a plate having laterally-projecting lugs for engaging' the under surface of the flanges of the adjacent ties and means for securing' the plate to the guard-rail.

JASPER LUCIUS CATLETT.

l/Vitnesses:

J. P. HAUGHTON, W. M. TROMLEY.

IOO

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